Route MapKoh Tao, Thailand »
October 08, 2010
It's already October 8!!! I thought I will be gone from the island by now, and I have been here for almost a week and I haven't done anything touristic.
But I have done a lot of thinking, getting in touch with some of my feelings. I always wanted to live somewhere on a tropical island, among palm trees, the beach and most of all -
the ocean. I was trained to be a naval engineer and spend my life on ships. I also love fish and marine life, so that's perfect for diving and fishing.

I came here because this is perhaps my last chance to experience
the island life for awhile - I am on my way North, away from the coast. I had a friend, whom I met in Peru, and until recently he was living on an island in the Philippines.
We were supposed to get together there, but he died in June, unfortunately...

I had a couple of sunny days and then it started to rain. I also heard that it was raining for a week until the day I arrived, so while lucky at first with
the weather, I didn't go snorkeling or diving because after the rain the water might not be as clear as it should be. I waited. And then boom! - more rain.
Few days later, a couple of sunny days again. If the weather continues to be good I will go on a snorkeling trip tomorrow. No diving for now.

Photo:
Koh Tao, Thailand. I went to the Sairee beach today. It's a short ride from where I am staying, on Mae Maad.
There are many places with beaches around this and the other island.

Photo:
Koh Tao, Thailand. The same beach but looking the other way.

Photo:
Koh Tao, Thailand. The Thai boats. We all know their famous shape.

Photo:
Koh Tao, Thailand. Sairee Beach. Another photo with the weird palm tree. I just couldn't help it ;)

Photo:
Koh Tao, Thailand. There are many bungalows to rent, and many are surrounded bushes. Renting them for a day cost usually 350 - 400 Baht. Monthly rates are quite good.
That's why countries like Thailand are great for people with not much money who want to have a good life. I mean the 'westerners', not locals. I talked to one guy from a diving
school and he is renting his bungalow for 10,000 Baht a month. His has all tiles, bathroom, cable TV, ari-con, big comfortable bed and all utilities are included.
That's about USD 330. He picked this one up because of the location, but you can have the same for 8 - 9 thousand Baht a month, which is no more than 300 hundred dollars.
You can't even rent a shoe box sized room in Vancouver for that.

Photo:
Koh Tao, Thailand. These birds are very common in the tropical parts of South East Asia. Pretty color combination, and they make incredible spectrum of voices.
Once I thiough there was a whole colony of them sitting on the grass in fron of my bungalow. I went out, and to my surprise there were only two!
Incredibly skilled and talented I must say.

My life has always been about freedom and I shall continue to walk this path.Safe travels ! ........... Stan